Gauge



Jan. 1952 G, N LEVESQUE 2,581,264

GAUGE Filed Aug. l, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l T725/enf??? @e ogefizeaesp 0e wes@ 7ans Jan. 1952 G, N LEVESQUE 2,581,264

GAUGE' Filed Aug. 1, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WM 2f:

Jan. l, 1952 G. N. I EvEsQUE GAUGE 3 SheetS--Sheerl 5.

Filed Aug. l, 1945 Opera??? OW l fr-ce duee/l//We n/enfer' @Gigi/@wxga Patented Jan. 1, 1952 George N. Levesque,

Brown and Sharpe Ma a' corporation of Rhode Cranston, R. I., assignor'to nufacturing Company, Island Application August 1, 1945, Serial No. 608,153

(Cl. "3S-1217) "Claims. l

The present-invention relates to improvements v in gauges.

More particularly, the invention is vconcerned with improvements -in comparator gauges `of the general-type which comprise with work locating means, a movable work contacting member and means vfor measuring thefmovement of the member, vand which are employed inthe making of very vsmall linear measurements which may =be in the order of a ten thousandth :of an inch.

It is apri-ncipal object of the invention to provide a novel and improved gauge of this general description which will be reliable land'feicient in operation -for `effecting fine linear measurements.

t isafurther object Aof the invention 4to .1p1-ovide a novel and improved gauging fdevice 'comprising `in combination both mechanicalyand electrical means Yadapted for detecting, accurately measuring and amplifying for visual inspec- 'tion the most minute movements of the gauge work contact member,

in accordance with the ypresent invention, a comparator gauge is provided, having a mechanical arrangement of rits parts -such --that linear movement of the work contacter with -relation to the gauge housing or ksupport acts -to subject a distortable element withinthe rgauge to a variable degree of combination therewith electrical `means including electrical strain sensitive gauges and amplifying and Visual inspection means, for detecting and accurately .measuring such variations .of strain as an indication of Vthe linear position of the work contacting member.

In a preferred form of the invention, the element of vthe gauge subjected -to distortion Vtakes the form of a collapsed column which may, for example, be a metal plate supported in abowed yposition under end pressure sufficient `to maintain the plate in a bent or collapsed position. The arrangement of thegauge is such that moveiment ofthe work contacting member of the gauge in one direction or the other will cause the plate to be either further bent or to-be-slightly straightened within a range of movement in which the -resistance encountered is substantially uniform. Electrical strain sensitive gauges Aapplied to the surfaces of the -plate record variations of v. strain imposed on the plate due to any variations rin the amountof bend of the collapsed columnor plate imposed by linear movement of the work contacting member of the gauge.

vIn another form of the invention, the strained thousandt-h to -a hundred strain, -and having in element of the gauge may take the form Aof a plate which issubjected to a continuous tensioning strain as, for example, by means of aBelllville spring. Linear movement of the Work contacting member of the gauge is rendered operative .to increase or to ,partially relieve .the tensioning strain imposed on l.the strained element by -the Bellville spring, and such variations are measured by means of electrical strain sensitive gauges which are secured to the surfaces of the plate.

En still another `form of the `invention, `the strained element of thegauge'may take theform of a metal-plate which `is, rigidly supported at one end .and is arranged to be acted upon at 'its free end rby means of a coiled spring which't'ends -to biastheplate vin one direction. A worlf: Vcontacting member is arranged to engage the "face of the plate tending to move the .plate rinf'the opposite direction. Changes of distortion of the plate produced by linear movement of the work contacting member `are measured Aby 'means -of .electrical strain sensitive gauges mounted on the surfaces of the plate.

Whileithree examples are herein -given of diiferent forms .of apparatus including 4a metal .part which Nmay be subjected .to variable and measurable strains by `movement of Aaiwork contact member, lit `will be understood thatf'appli- -cantis not ylimited vto the specic embodiments shown, and that parts of .other .description ,capable of being subjected to measurable strains andof lbeingdistorted .inother ways may be employed within the scop'eof the present invention.

The several features of the invention consist also in the devices, combinations .and arrangement of parts .hereinafter described `and claimed which, together with Ithe advantages to be obtained thereby, willbereadily understood by one Vskilledein the art from `the following ydescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which Fig. 1 is a right side .sectional View of acomparator gauge illustrating in Ja preferred form rthe several `features .of ntheinvention; Fig. 2 is apartial sectional view'in 4front elevation tof the gauge, -takenon the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 isa sectional Viewin front elevation taken on .the line `33 of Figure 1; Fig. 4 is -a somewhat fragmentary view in right side elevation, partly in section, of a comparator .gauge illustrating a specifically different .arrangement and metal part associated therewith which is to be subjected'to measurable variations ofstrain thereon; ig. 5 is a somewhat fragmentary View in right side elevation, partly in through the bushing 28 and section, illustrating still another form of the invention embodying a work contacter member and a still different form of the metal part which is subjected to measurable variations of strain by movement of the contactor member; Fig. 6 is a diagram oi the electrical connections from the strain gauges including a balancing circuit for the four strain gauges contemplated, an amplifier and a visual indicator device; and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams indicating net anvil :torce for each of the three alternative forms of the invention shown.

The comparator gauge which forms the subject-matter of the present invention fills a long felt need for a gauge which is capable of recording the iinest measurements of linear distances with certainty and accuracy, and which will at the same time be of simple and rugged construction well adapted for use under commercial conditions.

A principal feature of in the use of an element as, for metal plate, which is capable of in accordance with linear movement contacting member to produce measurable variations o strain therein, in combination with electrical means including strain gauges capable of detecting and measuring the most minute variathe invention consists example, a thin tions of distortion or strain produced in said elel ment.

Another feature of the invention consists specically in the provision of a comparator gauge device including a movable work contacting member and connections therefrom for producing in a metallic or other suitable element ac-- curately corresponding measurable variations oi. distortion whereby movements of the work contacting member through linear distances in the order of a hundred thousandth of an inch may be readily measured and the findings ampliiied I for easy visual inspection.

A preferred embodiment of the invention in a comparator gauge for the making of external measurements upon work is illustrated in Figs. l to 3, inclusive and Fig. 6 of the drawings. ri'he gauge shown in these figures comprises a base l!) on which is mounted an anvil support l2 for the work and an ove1'armsupport I4 which carries a vertically movable work contact member or feeler I6. The over-arm support is mounted for vertical adjustment on the ways I8 -formed on the rear side of a column ZB on the base til and is moved up and down by means of an adjusting screw 22 supported to turn in a bearing provided by a bushing 24 carried in the upper part of the over-arm support I4. The screw 22 is arranged for threaded engagement with a nut 26 which is rigidly secured as a plug into the upper end of the hollow column support 20.

The work contacting member I6 is in the form oi a plunger which is slidably supported in a lower bearing provided by a bushing 28 carried by the over-arm support I4 and in an upper bearing provided in a sleeve 30 mounted for vertical adjustment on the over-arm support i4. The work contact member is urged downwardly by means of a compression spring 32 coiled about the plunger between the lower end of the sleeve Sii and a shoulder provided by a U-shaped block 3i formed in the middle portion of the plunger. 70

The lower face oi the block 34 is arranged for engagement against the upper end of the bushing 28 to limit the downward movement of the work contacting member. A plug 3S screw-threaded having a pin formed on the end thereof is arranged for engagement in an elongated slot 38 formed in the work contacting member I6 and serves to prevent plunger I6 from rotating in its bearing. The screwthreaded plug 36 may be screwed in to clamp the plunger I6 in its bearing. The sleeve support 30 is arranged for vertical adjustment in order to permit an adjustment of the force exerted by the spring 32, and is clamped in position by means of a set screw 4D with a knurled head which is provided at its inner end with a pin 42 of smaller diameter which engages in a vertical slot 44 in the sleeve support 30. The tightening of the set screw 40 engages the pin 42 against the base of the slot 44 to clamp the sleeve rigidly in position. The engagement of the pin 42 in the slot 44 serves to limit movement of the sleeve support 3U in either direction and to prevent rotational movement of the sleeve support when the set screw 4U has been loosened.

Movement of the work contacting member IB Within the limited range provided by the present construction is adapted to produce a corresponding variation in the degree of distortion of a collapsed column whicn, in the construction shown in Figs. l to 3 inclusive, takes the form of a flat plate 50, and is held in its collapsed position between jaws 52 and 54. A group of four bonded electrical strain sensitive gauges generally indicated at 'i9 in Figs. l and 2, are secured, two to each side of the plate 5B. The jaw 52 is stationary, being formed as a forward projection on a block 56 which is rigidly secured by screws 58 to the over-arm support I4. The jaw 54 is movable, being formed on an arm G0 which is pivotally supported at its rear end on a leaf spring 62 secured at one end to the arm 6I) and at its other end to a rearwardly extending arm 64 which forms part oi the block 56. A forward extension 65 of the pivoted arm B0 carries a contact element 61 which engages with the upper inside face of the U-shaped block 34 of the work contacting member I6. The arm 6D is urged upwardly by means of a compression spring 63 coiled about a link bolt 'I5 and seated at its upper end against the enlarged head 'I2 and at its lower end against a seat formed in the arm 64 of the block. The link bolt 1!! extends downwardly through the movable arm B0, being threaded thereto and provided with a check nut 1li which engages against the under side of the arm 6B. Upward movement of the arm 68 under the influence of spring 68 to increase the distortion of the collapsed column 5U is limited by means of an adjustable set screw 'I6 screw-threaded through the arm 60 and arranged for engagement with the under side of the -block 56. A locking nut 'i8 serves to maintain the stop screw 'I6 in adjusted position.

From an inspection of Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will readily be evident that the jaw arm 65 and forwardly extending contact portion 66 are maintained in continuous engagement with the U-shaped block 34 through the opposed action of the two springs G8 and 32, the spring 68 tending to move the movable jaw arm 6E! upwardly and spring 32 tending to move the work contacting member I6 downwardly. The relative strength of the two springs is adjusted to cause the work contacting member I5 to be forced yieldingly downwardly under an extremely light pressure which is suicient to insure a rm work engaging contact but with minimum possibility of indenting the work piece. In this connection, it is to be particularly noted that the member 50 is bowed or bent sufciently to form a collapsed `the downward pressurel will have Van operating and arranged to permit for the movable jaw arm 66.

respond to a movement of an inch of the-work atei-.264

Yiect'to 'change the amount lof the Y'endwise pressure exerted by the collapsed column vlil! while `tending to'straighten itself. Withv thisy construc- "tion and arrangemeritof the gauge-'mechanism including the 'movable contact member, the movable jaw arm" 'and lthe collapsed column V5i),

` exerted by the workfco'n- 'tacting'inemben `that is.' the net lanvil pressure 'shown in the diagram Fig. "Uwill Vbefkept at a 'substantially constant vvalue over thei full lrange of nadjustment of the work 'contacting member. In theillustratedform of the-comparator 'gauge illus-trated'in Figs. l to S'inclusive, and Fig. 7, it is'assumed that-the work lcontacting 'member Yrange of movement of rtwo-thousandths of an inch.

'In order to provide-'affine l"adjustmentof the device 'which -will enable-afzero reading of' the visual inspect-ion gauge ltobe readily-obtained when the comparator Igauge is k'set up -with a "reference standard in place, the 'gauge illustrated in Figs. -l to-3 inclusive, is constructed -inade in the position of the movable jaw arm 6Fl after-the position of thework contacting mem- -ber i6 'in engagement with `-the standard work `piece has 'been `established. For this position of parts, it will be assumed that the work cono tacting Ymember I6 is in a-'position substantially midway vbetweenthe limits of movement and the movable jaw arm 60 is in a corresponding midposition between limits Yof movement in which the stop Vscrew 16 vis out of engagement with the stationary/blockb. The adjustment 'referred to is now made by moving the pivotal support arm 60 upwardly-or down by a slight amount so that the arm 60 moves about its point of engagement with the -U-shaped block 34 of the work contacting member 'I6 as a pivot. In order to provide for "such yan adjustment, the block 56 is formed with A'a `horizontal lslot 84 cut from the rear side 'of the blockv to form the relatively narrow rearwardly extending arm 64 in the block which provides the pivotal support for the movable `jaw arm 4fill. In order to provide for the desiredupward kand downward adjustment of the arm A64 vfor the movable jaw arm 66, a device is provided for springing the arm 64 downwardly a slight Vamount from the main body portion of the block 56. This device comprises a laterally extending cylinder 86 `which is 'rotatably mounted in a journal formed in the block -56 and is provided intermediate its ends with a reduced eccentric portion `9E) which is arranged to Vbe engaged by a stop screw 92 Vextending upwardly through the rearward end of the arm 6d which provides support for the jaw vRotational movement 4of Athe cylinder 88 will cause the arm 64 to be biased'to a greater or lesser extent downwardly. The cylinder 83 is pinned to a rock shaft 94 which is'in axial alignment therewith and carries at its outer Vend a knob 96 for convenience of adjustment on the part of the operator. In the illustrated Atonstruction of the machine in Fig. l, an adjustment is possible within a range `which will corof two rten-thousandths contacting member i6.

arm y(il) with 'consequent 2 la slight adjusment to be 96, a radially extending pin 98 isflmountediinthe 'cylinder #88 andi s adapted 'lfor @engagement at one llimit of movement :with-'an abutmentliormed -on -anadju'stable #plate Ill!)v mounted -on the v'side "of the block l56, and! 'atthe otherv limit of Amove- @in'ent with a fixed-stop v99. The platefiis ip'r'ovided with an arcuates'lot "l`2`whiohlreceivs ltwo ylocking screws H04 -for 'supporting'andflockingthe plate 66 in adjusted'positin -Anothe'r functions-of 'the eccentric `90lis lto provide a convenient c-heek'o'f maglnicationl'of the #instrument With existing Viineasurixig devices of either thefpneumatic or eleotrio type where the -graduations onilthe recording `iiie'ans such ias "almeter can Vbe fa'ssigned varyingv'alue's, i't-is neoess ary 'to -use v`loose pieces 5to chec'kl periodically whther vthe values assigned t'o thegraduations l:are remaining constant. `-For'fexample, if a difference in-size-'of OGl between workpie'ces isintended to throw the indi'c'ating-p tr'fve divisions-"or spaces on the meter, fit fis desirable 'to check occasionally ithat 'this '-thif'owre'mains constant l.in order "to avoid vincori-'ectreadings of `work size. In gauges with whichfappli'cantis iainiliar, -it -isthe practice to use -gau'ge blocks with known differences ini-thickness oralsingle v'gauge -block with'a step of "known height. Such a loose piece mustbe available for-checking at any time and there lis the' 'p'ossibnity-that `it may become misplaced. lGauge'iblocks'also wear with repeated use and lIsuch blocks used for inagnliication -cheoking would:eventually-require-`replacement. vIhe Y arrangemenit` provided #by Alapplica-nt overcomes both of.thesedisadvantages. u-By adjusting the position -of thefstop surface fon plate 160,'eccentric Silonshfaft-d can "be-given a range yof action between the Iiixeds`t` p-pin`=99 and the adjustablestop `to indicate with precision a change `of distortion offthe collapsed column equal-to a Ydefinite movement of the work -contacting member. Thevdesired range-otmovement `of the knob 96 `which will correspond 'to a den-nite movement ofthe v1work contacting member -I6 #and `to a denite movement ofthe indicating pointeris determined 'accurately by 4us'ing-gauge blocks. This is done in manufaclture, and once determined, is fixed. Inevitable wear which -occurs,`fhow'ever, can be overcome by readjusting vwith the aidfof :gauge blocks VtheV posi- 'tion of the.- stop surfaceon 'pla't'e li100 withrelavtion to A .the iixed stop -to restore the vvoriginal value. Therefore,in addition to providing by vr'neansof camf90 a ne 'zero-setting, the same 'device maybe A'used-"byturning the knob 96 from one lto the other limit of movement to Iprovide a vquick check ofthe electricalmagniiication vof the instrument. If, -due to varying electrical potential, *teniperature or other causes, f the values of the meter divisions vary-'slightly over a Aperiod of time, las `indicated by lthe mechanical amp'li-catioi-i check, the 'electrical magnification v can be 'altered to restore the original-values of themeter divisions. When'fthe actual fmagniiication Yof Vthe instrument does notfagr'ee-with fthe value :of sensitivity indicated on-the 'face of the amplifier through the knob and graduated: scale lused 'in Aadjusting potentiometer'R'3, to be more fully described, Ythe amplifier zgain is adjusted in conventional 'manner by means provided in the amplifier and 'independent of vthe sensitiv-ity 4potentiometer R3 for VVarying the resistance in the circuit. The sensitivity scale, although intended in practicev tobe 'used v-at ing to yplate H8 from Y In this embodiment of the invention,

assises meter scale, can be chosen and set for any intermediate value.

An alternative form of comparator gauge ernbodying certain features of the invention, is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, in somewhat diagrammatic form. A frame or base ||2 is provided in which is mounted a horizontally disposed adjustable screw-threaded stop ||4 which constitutes the work locating means for the gauge, and a movable work contacting member ||6 in the form of a plunger which is arranged for movement in axial alignment with the stop ||4. The work contacting member H6 engages at its rear end against a vertically extending spring plate ||8 which is rigidly secured at its lower end to the base ||2 and at its upper end is arranged to be acted upon by a compression spring |20 supported at one end in a seat in an overhanging portion of the frame I2 and at its other end against a block |22 which is seated on the upper end of the spring plate H8. As indicated by the construction lines in Fig. 4, the spring |20 tends to distort the plate H8 to the right when the plate is in the position of no bending strain, at which time the spring |20 exerts a force tendbias the plate H8 to the right. A group of four strain gauges |24 are mounted upon the lower portion of the spring plate |8, two on each side. In the operation of this device, it is contemplated that a work piece of standard dimensions will be placed in the gauge in the position as illustrated, for example, at |26 in Fig. 4 and the screw stop I4 will be tightened, thus forcing the standard work piece |26 and work contacting member H6 to the left until the pointer of the indicating meter reaches a central zero position on the dial. As the spring plate ||8 is distorted or bent to the left, the spring |20 is operative to offset the steadily increasing pressure of the spring plate to return, thus reducing the net anvil pressure of the work contacting member ||6 against the work piece so that this pressure is maintained at a substantially constant low value, as shown in the accompanying diagram Fig. 8. The degree of distortion impressed upon the spring plate H8 is measured as hereinafter .more fully described by means of electrical devices including the electrical strain sensitive gauges |24 and electrical amplifying and visual inspection means described. When the gauge has been adjusted to a zero reading, a work piece to be gauged, is placed in the device in place of the standard work piece |23. Variations in distortion of the spring the position established by the use of a standard work piece will then act through the electrical connections including strain gauges |24 to indicate the variations in linear dimensions from standard of the work pieces being gauged.

Another form of comparator gauge embodying the several features of the invention is shown in Fig. of the drawings, again in somewhat diagrammatic form. In this View, the frame |30 is provided within which is mounted a horizontally disposed adjustable screw-threaded stop |32 which constitutes the work locating means for the gauge, and a movable work contacting member |34 arranged in axial alignment with the stop |32. The work contacting member |34 is formed integrally with a plate |36 capable of having imparted thereto measurable tensioning strains, the other end of the plate |36 being formed integrally also with a plug |38 secured by a set screw |40 in an upwardly extending arm of the base |30. the four hereinafter more fully to be strain gauges are provided as generally indicated at |31, two on one side of the plate |36 being laid longitudinally, and the two on the other side of the plate being laid transversely, for measuring the tensioning strains to which the plate |36 may be subjected. The work contacting member |34 is arranged to be acted upon by a Bellville spring |42 which bears against a shoulder |44 formed on the member |34 and tends to thrust said member to the right, maintaining the plate |36 under a tensioning strain.` With this embodiment of the invention, the work piece of standard dimensions such as that designated at |46 is placed in a gauge between the stop member |32 and the work contacting member |34, and the stop member |32 is then screwed inwardly to decrease the tensioning strain upon the plate |36 until the reading of the electrical visual inspection means of the device registers at zero reading. The standard work piece |46 may be then removed and the piece to be measured put in place thereof. Any differences in size of the work piece to be measured from standard will be instantly transmitted in the form of either an increase or decrease in the tensioning strain to which the plate |36 is subjected. Any such diiference in the amount of strain will be recorded by the strain gauges |31. In order to maintain a substantially uniform anvil pressure of relatively low value over the range of movement of the work contacting member, a Bellville spring, having a characteristic as shown in Fig. 9, is employed which will oifset the resistance characteristic of the strained element |36, as indicated in Fig. 9.

In accordance with the invention, electrical strain sensitive gauges are employed which operate in combination with the mechanical gauge mechanism above described, to provide an extremely sensitive and accurate indication of small linear movements of the work contacting member of the gauge. In the illustrated form of the invention, a group of four electrical strain sensitive gauges are mounted in pairs on opposite sides of the distorted or strained element of the gauge in order to measure variations of strain caused by variations of distortion of the strained element as the work contacting member moves in one or the other direction. Inasmuch as electrical strain sensitive gauges including amplifying electrical circuits for the same are well known, it is believed unnecessary to describe these devices in detail except to point out that a gauge of this general description comprises a nely drawn wire which is bonded throughout its eifective length in a suitable form of cementing agent, and the gauge is then similarly secured or bonded to the surface of the strained element. In the illustrated form of the invention, a group of four electrical strain sensitive gauges are employed, twobeing mounted on each side of the metal plate which constitutes the element of the gauge to be subjected to measurable strains. These gauges are incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge balancing circuit which acts through an amplifying device to control the position of the pointer of a meter with a zero center scale.

A preferred form of electrical amplifier circuit for use with applicants comparator gauge is illustrated in somewhat diagrammatic form in Fig. 6 of the drawing. Since certain devices employed and electrical circuits embodying these devices are well known in the art and form specifically no part of the present invention, only such description is included herewith as is believed necessary to enable one skilled in the art to understand the connection. of the, present. invention. therewith. Referring mori-:specifically tolig.A 6,Y

applicant has shown four electrical, strain sensi.- tive gauges indicated. respectively at R31, R32, R33 and R34 arranged in theform. of, aWheatstoneV bridge balanced.v circuit. Current. isfsupplied to the, strain gauge Wheatstone.bridge,cir,-.

description. The 1000 cycles-per-second oscillator supplies the Wheatstone bridge through. secondary T2,| of the oscillator transformenandA also the rectifier RX. through secondary T2,2 of the sameoscillator trai, fori ner.l Forming part of the Wheatstone bridge circuit are two resistors Rl and RIS which, togetherwithA thepotentiometer R2, affordsa means` for electrically adjusting the balance of the strain gauge bridge circuit.vv Any unbalance voltage .appearing ioloss` two of theY points designated at Zolland 2 02, respectively, is fed to the potentiometer R3 which, by means of a conventional knob and graduated scale on the front ofthe amplifier., is used to vary sensitivity of the device. A the unbalance. voltage isselected at points 204 and 202 and is impressed onthe. grid ofthe first ampliertube of the amplifier. The unbalance voltageis amplified and '173,1 of the outputA transformer associated with the, last amplifier tube. The output current is rectified by the circuit consisting of the ring connected copper oxide rectier RX, the transformer windings,T3,l and T2,2. A current fiows through the meter M which is proportional to the strength of theoutput voltage hence to the degree of the straingauge bridge unbalance, and in a direction determined by the relative phase relations between the voltage in the transformer winding T2,2 and the Voltage in the transformer winding- T3,I which is in turn determined by the direction of the strain gauge bridge unbalance. o

The comparator gauge herein illustrated having in combination electrical strain sensitive gauges arranged for measuring strains induced in a distortable element of the gauge has certain particular advantages. Such a gauge employing electrical strain sensitive bonded gauges has been found to afford a very stable and easily adjusted comparator. Mechanical features ofthe gauge which have been found to be of particular advantage include the use of the collapsedYV column to provide a net anvil force against a work piece which is of substantially constant value over the full range of member. construction illustrated, including the offsetting spring force acting againstwthe beam of"Fig. 4 and the B ellville spring employed with the tensioned member of Fig. 5 to cancel the force buildup of the gauge, have also been foundivaluable for maintaining -a constant low net anvil force.

Another feature of the invention which has been found most valuable is the mechanical adjustment of supporting arm i511' for the jaw arm 60 in order to adjust the position of the pointer of the visual inspection meter to a zero position and to provide a convenient check ofthe electrical magnification.

While a comparator gaugeadapted for making which servesy to supply a voltage. PartA of the D. C.A

a 1000 cycles-per-secoildj triode oscillator and the last amplifier. tube 0f' the: amplifier circuit which is .again of ordinary` AnyY desired fraction of.

appears in the secondaryy movement of the work contacting The alternative forms of mechanical v, for the making ofv internal externalmeasurements is shown asembodying in a, preferredform the several features of the invention, it will loe-understood that the several featuresof the invention are equally well adapted measurements. Applicant is not, limited. to the particular formv and` mounting.. ofr the; Work contacting member illustrated.`

The invention having. been described, what is claimedis:

1..A,gange which comprises` a supporta contact element. carriedbythe, support for movenient.` over., a limited. range. W-ith relation tothe support, a distoiitable Aelement supported from the-support asabowed column tobe maintained under. a condition of strain-.and connected with the ccntactf element. to be extended and compressed With the, movement of the contact element within-fan. area of substantially constant resistance to, saidr distortionk in which the` distortionhascaused-the element to fai-l `as-.a column butnotfto.- exceedits elastic limit, and electrical mentover a limited range, withI relation to the support, a distortableg. element. supported from the support asa howedeolumn to be ,maintained under i a... conditionV ofY tween. the distortable element. and contact elementwhereby. the d-istortable element is arranged to; be. extendedand compressed, with movement of, thev contact, element withinv arrareaI of sub,- stantially-v constant.. resistanceY to said distortion in which which4 the distortion. has caused4 the element.v to failas, aA column but. notto exceed its v elastic limit, ,and eleotricalmeauring means including an electrical1 strain. sensitive. gauge comprising an electrical conductor bonded. throughoutits effectivelength toga., surface of the.- distorted, element to detect and to measure variations .eestrain produced., in said element. by.

the. distortion thereoi as anindication of the.

position ofthecontactelement.

3. Agallgewhich c omprisesa measuring head, acontact elementsuported on the headfor a limited rangeoimovement with relation to t111e head between.. advanced. out-of.-.cozntactpositions,y spring, means in the head actinabeiween the head. and.. the Contact element to urge the contact element toward the advanced position, an arm pivoted on the head and a countertensioning spring actingthereon to engage the arm with and to move the contact element toward` the retracted position, a l distortable element supported as a column against said yarm and a portion of said head to be maintained under a condition of strain and tol be extended and compressed with the movement of the contact element within an area of" substantially constant resistance to said distortion in which the distortion has caused the element to fail as a column but' not to exceed'its elastic limit', and electrical measuring means including an electrical strain sensitive gauge attached to saidl distortable element to detectand to measure variations of strain producedy distortions thereof as an indication of the position of said contact element;

4. A gaugewhich' comprises-a base; a measure strain, a connection be.-

contact and retracted.

in said element by theV i ing head on the base, a contact member supported on the head for a limited range of movement with relation to the head between advanced contact and retracted out-of-contact positions, a spring acting between the head and the contact member to urge the contact member in one direction, an arm pivoted on the head having a limited range of movement arranged to engage with and urge the contact member in a direction opposed to said spring, a countertensioning spring and a distortable element supported and arranged in the measuring head respectively between said arm and portions of said head to act against said arm and said portions of said head in opposite directions and having a net eiect to bias the arm and contact member engaged thereby against the pressure of said rst mentioned spring, said distortable element being supported in the head `as a column under a condition of strain and to be extended and compressed with the movement of the work supporting member within an area of substantially constant resistance to said distortion in which the distortion has caused the element to fail as a column but not to exceed its elastic limit, and electrical measuring means including an electrical strain sensitive gauge operatively connected with said distortable element to detect and to measure variations of strain produced in said element by the distortion thereof as an indication of the position of said contact member.

5. A gauge which comprises a measuring head, a contact member supported on the head for a limited range of movement with relation to the head between advanced contact and retracted out-of-contact positions, yieldable means acting between the head and the contact member to maintain a constant net pressure on said contact member toward the advanced position including a distortable strip element supported from the head as a bowed column and connected with the contact member to be maintained under a condition of strain and to be extended and compressed with the movement of the contact member within an area of substantially constant resistance to said distortion in which the distortion has caused the element to fail as a column but not to exceed its elastic limit, and electrical measuring means including an electrical strain sensitive gauge attached to said strip element, amplier means, and visual inspection indicating means for detecting and for measuring variations of strain `produced in said strip element by variations in the degree of distortion thereof as an indication of the position of said contact member.

6. A gauge which comprises a base, a measuring head on the base, a contact member supported on the head for a limited range of movement with relation to the head between advanced contact and retracted out-of-contact positions, yieldable means acting between the head and the contact member to maintain a net pressure on said contact member toward the advanced positionincluding a distortable strip element supported from the head as a bowed column and connected with said contact member to be maintained under a condition of strain and to be extended and compressed with the movement of the contact member within an area of substantially constant resistance to said distortion in which the distortion has caused the element to fail as a column but not to exceed its elastic limit, and electrical measuring means including a plurality of electrical strain sensitive gauges each comprising an electrical conductor bonded throughout its effective length to a surface of the distorted strip, a Wheatstone bridge balancing circuit for said strain gauges, an amplier, and an indicating meter.

7. A gauge which comprises a base, a measuring head on the base, a contact member suoported on the head for a limited range or movement with relation to the head between advanced contact and retracted out-of-contact positions, a spring acting between the head and the contact member to urge the contact member toward the advanced position, a pivot member, an arm pivoted on the pivot member and countertensioning spring acting thereon to engage the arm with and to move the contact member toward the retracted position, a distortable element supported in the head between the pivoted arm and the head as a bowed column to be maintained under a condition of strain and to be extended and compressed with the movement of the contact member within an area of substantially constant resistance to said distortion in which the distortion has caused the element to fail as a column but not to exceed its elastic limit, electrical measuring devices including a group of electrical strain sensitive gauges each comprising an electrical conductor bonded throughout its eiiective length to a surface of the strained element, a Wheatstone bridge balancing support for said strain gauges, an amplifier, an indicating meter calibrated to indicate movement of the contact member from a zero position in terms of units of linear measurement, and a device for moving the pivot member and arm therewith about the point oi contact with the work contacting member for adi-ustment of said indicating meter to said zero position.

8. A gauge which comprises a base having work locating means, a measuring head on the base. a work contact member supported on the head for movement in a limited range on the head between advanced and retracted positions toward and away from the work, a spring actingI between the head and the work contact member to urge the work contact member toward the advanced position, a distortable strip arranged to be supported as a bowed column under a condition of strain between two jaws and to be extended and compressed with movement of the work contact member, a block secured to the head providing one of said jaws to receive one end. of said strip and further recessed to provide a flexible portion of the block as support, an arm pivot-ed at one end to said support and at its other end having an engaging contact with the work contact member and intermediate its length provid.- ing the other of said jaws to receive the other end of said strip, spring means connected between the block and the pivoted arm acting on said arm in a direction to distort said strip and to move the work contact member toward its retracted position, relatively adjustable stop suriaces on the arm and block for limiting said movement oi' the arm, a mechanically operable device for exing said support toward and away from the block in order to vary the degree ci distortion of said strip, electrical measuring devices including a group of electrical strain sensitive gauges each comprising an electrical cond-uctcr bonded throughout its eiiective length to the surface of the strained element. a Wheatstone bridge balancing circuit for said strain gauges, an amplifier, and an indicating meter calibrated to indicate movement of the work conascensor tacting member from a-zero positionfin terms of units-of linear measurement.

9.. .A gauge which comprises armeasuringshead,

sistance to said distortion'inlwhich thefdistorton v'has vcaused theielement xtozfail-tas a columni but not to exceed 4its elastic limit, I a lpivot'alfsupport for said armvadjustabla on. the.' measuring ahead,

electrical` measuring means including 'an ve'le'ctrical strain. sensitive gauge'iiattached to zsa'id :dis-

'tortable element, amplifyingmeans, a visual inspection meter calibrated-to `indicate movement of the contact member in terms of units of linear measurement, and means lTor-adjusting said`-piv-- `otallsupport to -vary the-distortion of saidelement independently -of r movement ofthe contact mem- 10. A gauge which'comprisesV a measuring head,

.a Acontact; member supported. on theshead. for a` limited range ofnnovement with. relation to *the head, a 'distortable element supportedfrom "the measuring head as a bowed column to be maintained under a condition of strain, a pivot member, an arm pivoted on the pivot member, saidv arm having a point of engagement with the contact member and arranged to engage against said element to cause the element to be extended and compressed with the movement of the arm and contact member, electrical measuring means including an electrical strain sensitive gauge attached to said distortable element to detect and to measure variations of strain produced in said element by the distortion thereof as an indication of the position of said contact member, and a support for said pivot member adjustable in the measuring head for varying the distortion of said element independently of movement of the contact member.

1l. A gauge which comprises a base, a measuring head on the base, a contact member supported on the head for a limited range of movement with relation to the head between advanced and retracted positions toward and away from the work, a spring acting between the head and the contact member to urge the contact member toward the advanced position, an arm pivoted on the head, and a countertensioning spring acting thereon to engage the arm with and to move the work contact member toward the retracted position, a distortable element supported in a condition of strain between said arm and a portion of the head against the pressure exerted to move the arm by said countertensioning spring, said spring, countertensioning spring and distortable element being chosen and arranged to impose a slight net pressure of substantially constant value within said range of movement upon said work contact member toward the extended position, and an electrical measuring device including an electrical strain sensitive gauge attached to said distortable element to detect and to measure variations of strain produced in said element by the distortion thereof as an indication of the position of said work contacting member.

between 4portions of the head1 and said Ycontact rinfei'nber 'to' act upon-said contact member 'opposed'l :directionsrfand/ a distortable element #sup- "ported" Lfrom the? headfy as -a bowed column --and o.,

514 V12. 'A-gaugewhichcomprises aba'se;l a'fme'a'su-rving headp af=vvork ^contact .member supported by the= head'forfa-limitd rangefof movementbetween advanced andfr'etracte'd f positions-with relation-itc vthe head,-fyieldable means inthe head1-arranged -Itoma'intainf a substantially Lunchanged net-'fengagingf` pressure on lsaid y contact 'Y member-within said range 4'of 4movement and inthel direction from the retracted-to 4vthe-advanced v position including aspringandfa counterbalancing spring fsupported connected-*with the contact 'mem-ber to bemain- 'tained lundera 'condition -of f strainV -to be varied 4withf'the movement of said contact member within anarea ofv substantially 'constant resistance-to "said distortion in-rwhich rthe distortion 'has caused thefelement Vtoiail-as acolumn but not to exceed its-elastic limit; and; electrical 'measuring means including-an 'electrical-strain sensitive"-gauge atl-tached -to -said'`distortable relement to detectV and -to measure vvariations or'strainproduced in-said element bythe distortions thereofas-fan indicat-ion lbf fthe' position of'said llworlr contacting ""memb'er.

113.l Afgauge-which compriSes-abaSe a; measuring head onfithe "base, a-*contact-'m'ember "supported'on'the-head forlmovement in a limited range on the head between advanced contact and retracted out=of=contact positions; a spring act- :ingt-lbetween thehead land' v,the contact member said limited to urge the contact member towardthe: advanced position, a distortable metal strip arranged to be supported in a bowed position under a condition of strain and to be extended and compressed with movement of the contact member, a block secured to the head providing a jaw to receive one end of said metal strip and further recessed to provide a flexible portion of the block as a support, an port and at its other end having an engaging Contact with the contact member and intermediate its length providing a second jaw to receive the other end of said strip, spring means connected between the block and the pivoted arm in a direction to distort said strip to move the work contact member toward its retracted position, relatively adjustable stop surfaces on the arm and block for limiting said movement of the arm, electrical measuring means including an electrical strain sensitive gauge attached to the said distortable strip to detect variations of strain produced in said strip, amplifying means, and an indicating meter calibrated to indicate movement of the work contacting member from a zero position in terms of units of linear measurement, and a mechanically operable device for adjusting the position of said support portion of the block and thereby to produce a zero setting and magnification check of the electrical means.

14. A claim according to claim 13 in which the device for adjusting the pivot support of the arm comprises an adjustable stop screw threaded to the support portion, a cooperating cam on the block arranged to be engaged by said stop screw having the rise portion thereof adjusted to Ieffect a distortion of said element equal to that produced by a movement of said contact member over range, and a manual control connected with the cam for 'adjusting the angular position of the cam.

15. A gauge which comprises a measuring head,

a contact member supported on the head for arm pivoted at one end to said sup'- 15 movement in a limited ran'ge between advanced contact and retracted out-of -contact positions, a distortable element supported from the measuring -head as a bowed column to be maintained under a condition of strain, a block secured to the bead having a flexible portion, a pivot member mounted on said flexible port'on of the block, an arm pivoted on said pivot member connected with the contact member and element providing an operative connection between the contact member and distortable element arranged to be actuated by movement of the contact member to cause said element to be extended and compressed with the movement of the contact member, electrical measuring means including an electrical strain sensitive gauge attached to the said distortable element, amplifying means, a visual inspection meter calibrated to indicate movement of the contact member from a zero position in terms of units of linear measurement, and a manually operable control device for adjusting said connection to vary the distortion of the distortable element and the reading of said visual inspection meter while the position of the contact member remains unchanged comprising a cam and follower connection acting between the head and said flexible portion or" the block to adjust the position of said pivot and arm about the connection of the arm with the contact member.

GEORGE N. LEVESQUE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

16 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 447,276 Brayton Feb. 24, 1891 703,725 Hardinge July l, 1902 931,475 Picard Aug. 17, 1909 1,258,426 MacKintosh Mar. 5, 1918 1,389,341 Blood Aug. 30, 1921 1,728,626 Pairrnan Sept. 17, 1929 2,045,474 Kemler June 23, 1936 2,178,745 Emery Nov. 7, 1939 2,197,198 Street Apr. 16, 1940 2,208,635 Johnson July 23, 1940 2,240,184 Hathaway Apr. 29, 1941 2,244,964 Poock et al. June 10, 1941 2,267,559 Foster Dec. 23, 1941 2,307,323 LaFlamme Jan. 4, 1943 2,316,203 Simmons Apr. 13, 1943 2,316,975 Ruge Apr. 20, 1943 2,322,319 Ruge June 22, 1943 2,362,626 Giien Nov. 14, 1944 2,372,879 Bjorklund et al Apr. 3, 1945 2,416,664 Ruge Feb. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 367,789 Italy Feb. 2, 1939 610,234 France June 1, 1926 872,402 France Feb. 9, 1942 OTHER REFERENCES Publ.: Journal of Scientic Instruments," November 1945, page 219, An Electrical Micrometer, by D. C. Gall, 

